How Garage Door Springs Work

There is a force enabling the garage door to move. And it’s not the opener. It’s the garage door springs. Let us make it simple. If you don’t have the right set of springs, the door won’t operate well. And the springs will break faster than they should. If they springs are not adjusted well, the door won’t open straight. And with the springs broken, the door won’t open. That’s a good reason for paying attention to their condition and frequent garage door spring repair.

Want another? Should the door is open when the spring breaks, it will collapse. This is one reason why springs are very, very dangerous. But not just because they can bring the overhead door down with force. If they’d snap, they will hit you. And if they hit you, your injury will be serious.

So why springs break? Why are they the main parts able to move the garage door? And why garage door spring replacement must take place every few years? The answers to these questions are better explained if you understand the way springs work. So let’s have it!

Variations among garage door springs

Let us start by saying that springs are separated in two major categories. There are torsion and extension springs. And there are several variations not only among the two types but also among springs belonging to the same category. Hence, we have galvanized and oil tempered torsion springs, one-piece and sectional door extension springs, Wayne Dalton and Clopay torsion springs. They vary in terms of their flexibility, parts, and the way they are installed. But in spite of these variations, they all have the same job to do and each spring type works in a unique way. Let us see how!

Torsion springs

When it comes to residential garage doors, there is usually one torsion spring. And that’s found over the opening. It often goes around a steel rod, which is called shaft, and connects with the two cable drums at the two ends. How is this interesting? The cable goes around the drum. And so when the spring transfers its force to the drum, the drum takes turn to pull the cable which connects with the bottom bracket. So if you’ll try to disassemble the bottom fixture, spring tension will be released. And when this happens, accidents are bound to occur.

What happens when you press to open the door? The spring balances the door by applying torque to the rod. It unwinds to pull the door open and winds to close it down.

Extension springs

Overhead extension springs are the most popular. There are two in each set and installed at the two sides of the door. In order to keep the door shut, they stretch parallel to the tracks. In order to counterbalance the door, they pull on the cable and contract to open the door.

What both springs have in common?

They store energy. They consist of coils, which must be flexible enough to open the door but also keep it in its opening position and lower it down. That’s why extension and torsion spring repair is required. Both their power and installation are important and must match the needs of the door – for example: spring force must be equal to the door’s weight. So they are powerful enough to hit you fatally should they snap. Why are they replaced more often than other parts? Because they are made to open and close the door for a specific number of times and because they carry a heavy burden on their backs.